Fatty liver is very common and usually mild. The important next step is finding out whether there is any scarring.
Fatty liver is one of the most common findings on an abdominal ultrasound. For most people it is mild. The question that matters is whether the liver has started to scar, because scarring, not fat, drives the long-term risk.
Step 1: check for scarring
A simple score from routine blood tests (the FIB-4 score) and a FibroScan together show whether significant scarring is likely. Most people turn out to be at low risk.
Step 2: look at the whole picture
Fatty liver usually travels with weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These raise the risk of heart disease, which is still the most common serious problem in people with fatty liver. Check them too.
Step 3: change what drives it
- Losing 7 to 10% of body weight can reduce liver fat and inflammation, and may improve scarring
- Regular exercise helps even without weight loss
- Cut down on sugary drinks and refined carbohydrates, and keep alcohol low
- Good control of diabetes; some diabetes medicines also help the liver
See the fatty liver guide for how the condition can progress, and when to see a specialist.
General information only. Reviewed by Dr Chia Chung King, 2026-11-07. Book a consultation.